Monday, January 31, 2011

Former Southeast High standout Giovani Francois is coming back home (almost).

The heralded defensive end has verbally committed to FIU picking the Miami school over Temple after narrowing his choices down to those two schools.

After playing three years for Southeast, Francois moved to Maryland and played for Henry Wise High School this past season where he impressed colleges with his outstanding play in a limited season.

The 6-3, 230 pound senior also had offers from Louisville and Western Kentucky and was getting serious interest from Big East schools USF, Cincinnati and Rutgers along with Maryland, Michigan State and Tennessee. He also visited Cincinnati.

Francois said he was impressed with FIU head coach Mario Cristobal (who played four years at the University of Miami from 1988 through ’92) and the entire coaching staff there that recruited him.

Francois will join one of his old home town friends in Manatee High defensive lineman Prince Matt, who has announced he will also be signing with FIU.

The Panthers completed their fifth season of football in 2010 winning the Little Caesar’s Bowl and their first Sun Belt Conference football championship